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Conservation

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 18:18 -- abc_admin

Kumbira Forest Angola is home to a range of endemic and endangered species. The forest is not protected and some is being cleared for crops such as coffee and bananas to support the local village population.

Image Credit:

John Caddick 2005

You can download this report from Michael Mills which describes the construction of the first native tree nursery at Kanjonde village on the slopes of Mount Moco, with the long term aim of reforesting Mount Moco. The mountain, Angola's highest, is the second most important site in Angola for Afromontane forest conservation and protects a vital population of the Endangered Swierstra's Francolin, one of the country's rarest birds.

A report by Michael Mills on bird conservation and research in Angola can be downloaded here. This report includes the achievements in 2010 and plans for 2011.

In common with other African countries, Angola has a large number of environmental issues: the overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest; and inadequate supplies of drinking water.

Although Angola has a number of designated National Parks and Reserves, the war has had a devastating impact on conservation and most protected areas are without wardens. On the positive side, soldiers are being trained as park wardens through an IUCN / Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development project. In addition, there are extensive protected areas that remain relatively undisturbed and which adequately protect some vegetation types and therefore habitat for birds.

Seven of the IBAs are nominally National Parks or Reserves, and the remaining sixteen sites are unprotected by law. More information about National Parks can be found at Quicama.